Episode Summary:

On Episode Four, Brennan and Robbie are joined by Andrew Sawyer, UGA Extension Area Pecan Agent for Southeast Georgia. This week, you will learn about pecan production, pecan harvest, the differences between export and domestic markets for pecans, pecan scab and other diseases, and why it is pronounced pee-can and not pah-khan.

Andrew Sawyer’s Faculty Profile: https://extension.uga.edu/about/personnel-directory/person.html/14039/andrew-sawyer.html

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Cold Opening

0:26 Ag in the Cab Podcast Intro

1:57 Opening Segment with Brennan and Robbie discussing the fall weather.

5:21 Introduction of this week’s guest, Andrew Sawyer, UGA Area Pecan Agent for SE Georgia.

8:11 Andrew explains the history and the phonetically correct pronunciation of Pecan.

12:58 Andrew discusses the current state of the Georgia pecan harvest, and the loss Georgia has seen from Hurricane Helene.

14:35 Andrew discusses scab resistant varieties of pecan trees and what it takes for a pecan tree to be classified as a scab resistant variety.

19:28 Andrew discusses how small/medium size pecan orchards, as well as large commercial orchards, can transition orchards over to new varieties with whisping.

25:09 Andrew discusses what hedging is in pecan orchards and the value of hedging with increasing spray contact over the whole tree.

29:53 Andrew discusses how homeowners, backyard, and small orchards fungicides and rain can impact scab control.

32:23 Andrew discusses the topic of nostalgia and if 60 years ago pecan trees were better than pecan trees today, and why water supply and pollination is necessary for production.

35:50 Robbie and Andrew discuss the topic of how pecan trees have a physiological characteristic that create the lore that they are never fooled to bud before winter is gone.

37:15 Andrew discusses homeowner, backyard, and small orchard options for control of other insect and disease issues.

40:56 Andrew discusses how small and medium size pecan producers can improve profit for their orchard.

43:49 Robbie and Brennan’s closing segment, discussing their pecan stories and their upcoming Extension events.

47:23 Ag in the Cab Podcast Outro

Pecan Production Information:

Southeast Pecan Growers Handbook: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1327&title=southeastern-pecan-growers-handbook

UGA Pecan Team Website: https://extension.uga.edu/topic-areas/fruit-vegetable-ornamentals-production/pecans.html

Backyard Pecan Orchard Guide: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%201348_5.PDF

Dr. Lenny Well’s book “Pecan: America’s Native Nut Tree”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68769356-pecan